1910-1924 Fire Chief

Born in Reinbeck, Iowa, Chief Horstman was elected Fire Chief in January of 1910. Chief Horstman was active in many of the social circles in San Luis Obispo County. He owned the Horstman-Orcutt Meat Com-pany on Main Street (current site of A.J. Spurs Restau-rant).

Chief Hortsman oversaw many of the early improve-ments to the fire department, including the purchase of two Stempel chemical engines, the construction of the first bell tower, instituting a ‘Fire Watchman’, the first weed abatement program, and the installation of fire extinguisher boxes on street corners.